New Orleans Saints' offensive line's continuity to stretch into another season

With the exception of center, the New Orleans Saints offensive line will be the same for the third consecutive year, giving the offense plenty of continuity.

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneEven with new center Olin Kreutz, the New Orleans Saints offensive line has a lot of continuity, with four other starters returning.

Veteran center Olin Kreutz was signed last week to replace Jonathan Goodwin, who signed a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Kreutz, a 14-year veteran who has made six Pro Bowl appearances and been selected All-Pro four times, is considered a bit of an upgrade over Goodwin, who was a solid starter for the Saints.

With Kreutz in the fold, the Saints may have the best interior offensive line in the NFL, with two Pro Bowl guards.

Right guard Jahri Evans may be the game's best guard, and left guard Carl Nicks nearly is considered Evans' equal.

The tackle position again will be in the hands of Jermon Bushrod, who will start his third consecutive season at left tackle, and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb.

The big question, though, is which reserves will the Saints keep?

Second-year center Matt Tennant, who doubles as a reserve guard, appears to be a keeper and the eventual heir at center. Backup tackle Zach Strief has enjoyed a solid camp, even filling in for Stinchcomb, who has missed practice time while resting his surgically repaired left knee. Second-year tackle Charles Brown continues to make progress after a slow start to camp because of a hamstring injury.

The Saints have brought in veteran tackles Alex Barron, who missed camp time with surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee, and George Allen. Also, the coaching staff is taking a look at veteran tackle Jordan Black.

Backup guards Roger Allen and Brian de la Puente are facing uphill battles to make the final roster.

FIRST DOWN

Lance Moore, who signed a five-year, $21.5 million contract to return to the Saints, is off to a sizzling start during training camp.

With Marques Colston having missed the past six practices while resting his surgically repaired right knee, Moore has taken over as Drew Brees' top target.

While Moore, who caught 66 passes for 763 yards and eight touchdowns last year, has been a favorite of Brees, he is getting even more passes thrown in his direction.

Throughout camp, he has beaten defenders across the middle and down the seams for big catches, including two touchdowns at the end of Thursday's practice. Moore appears poised for perhaps the best season of his career.

PLAY OF THE DAY

Thursday's practice didn't produce much action, as the team went through a glorified walkthrough, with players going less than full speed.

But second-year running back Joique Bell continues to turn heads. He had a 70-yard scoring run in drills when he blasted through the left side of the line behind blocks from de la Puente and Brown, showing good burst and speed.

Later in the workout, he beat linebacker Jon Vilma for a sliding catch down the left sideline for 20 yards.